Chapter 1

I dragged the guy behind me with one hand by the collar of his tunic as I marched into the dark alley. He begged to be released.

"No! Please! Please let me go! Don't give me to him! I'll do anything! Just please, PLEASE spare me!"

"Shut up," I commanded.

He whimpered but stopped talking. We came to a stop and I lit the torch on the wall of the alley with a flick of my fingers. In its dim light stood a very pleased-looking middle aged man in an Earth Kingdom Lieutenant's uniform which was complete with two war hammers hanging from his belt.

"What's the matter Jin Yao? Is your cowardice finally catching up to you?" the man in my grasp whimpered again and tried to pull away from me. I pulled him back, my fist like iron, and slammed him onto the ground face-first before placing my foot on his back.

"Where's my money?" I asked the Lieutenant impatiently.

"Always right to the point, aren't you Mei?" he smirked.

"It's Alamei," I stated seriously as he handed me a small drawstring bag made of brown fabric that was heavy with gold. I opened it to check the amount. It was all there.

I took my foot off the small man's back and pulled him up by his collar again before shoving him at the Lieutenant. I turned around and walked away without another word.

The man that I had traded for the money, Jin Yao, called to me desperately "PLEASE! DON'T LEAVE ME WITH HIM! HAVE MERCY!"

From far away, Admiral Zhao watched as a young woman traded the earthbender to an Earth Kingdom Lieutenant. The earthbender looked absolutely terrified of both people before him. Zhao could understand the earthbender's fear of his superior, all soldiers should fear their superiors, but why would a powerful earthbender fear the young woman? He watched as the man tried to escape and the woman slammed the earthbender to the ground and placed her foot on his back, seemingly without effort. The Lieutenant handed her a sack that looked as if it contained quite a bit of gold. The girl checked the bag, handed over the earthbender, and left. This could be the one I've been looking for. This woman could be the one for the job I have in mind, the Admiral thought as he returned to his ship that night.

When I returned home that evening I opened the door and ducked inside. My home was small, but practical. Enough space to sleep and eat, but not enough space to be roomy. It consisted of three rooms. The front entrance lead to the kitchen and the kitchen had a door that lead to the bedroom. A door inside the bedroom lead outside to the back and another door was the entrance to the bathroom.

I walked into my bedroom and lifted the loose square on the stone floor that was concealed by a rug. I dropped my gold inside before recovering it. I then stripped out of my outer attire and lay to bed in my undershirt. Sleep came quickly.

I woke up in the morning just after dawn and got dressed. I retrieved two gold coins from my hiding place under the floor and put them in my bag before walking out the door to the Earth Kingdom market. After seven years on my own I have this routine memorized. I walked to the fruit vender's tent and bought a papaya. Then I started to walk around and see what interesting things people have brought from all around the world to sell here. I saw people of all different shapes and sizes. Some were in green, some in red, and even one or two in Water Tribe blue. People from all the nations mixed here for the sake of money. The entire world revolved around money. I took a bite of my papaya.

I came across a tent that was larger than the rest. Curious, I went inside. The place contained many different weapons from dadao and katana to clubs and bows. I've always been successful without a weapon besides my firebending, but out of desire to know more I decided to take a look around. I was handling a pair of broadswords when I heard a voice behind me.

"Are you skilled with broadswords, Alamei?"

I whirled around to see a man in a Fire Nation Admiral's uniform. He had enormous brown sideburns and the typical amber eyes of the Fire Nation. He looked middle aged and slightly pale. A great big smirk was plastered on his face.

"Who are you?" I asked, suspicious.

"My name is Admiral Zhao."

"Well, Admiral Zhao, how do you know my name?" I questioned.

"I have eyes and ears everywhere. I've heard much about you. I believe that we can help each other."

"What do you want?"

"I require your services and I'd be willing to pay you a hefty sum. Even more than you received Lieutenant Mar."

My eyes widened. "How do you….?"

"I told you I have eyes and ears everywhere. In every town of every Nation."

I wasn't impressed. "Well, good for you then. Anyway, I've got things to do," I said as I began to walk away.

"Hold on just a minute," the Admiral stepped in front of me. "You haven't even let me make my offer yet."

I clenched my fists and growled in annoyance and anger. The handles of the broadswords I was holding began to warm in my hands. After a second I was able to calm my temper.

I sighed. "Fine but if you want me to work for you then I'll have to know some specifics. What exactly do you want me to do and how much are you going to pay me?"

Zhao smiled. "Follow me. The things you would like to discuss are not good things to speak of in a public place."

I nodded and set down the swords, cringing at the damage I had done to the handles. They had been melted and warped into the shape of the inside of my hands. Zhao walked out of the tent and I hesitated. I should probably buy the swords. I damaged them and besides, it's almost as if they're custom now. After quickly buying the swords and a sheath, I ran out of the tent and found Zhao. He walked out of the marketplace and towards the coast. As he stepped onto a Fire Navy ship the soldiers guarding the ramp crossed their spears in front of me, preventing my entrance. I glared at them until Zhao spoke on my behalf.

"She's with me. Allow her to pass."

The guards stepped back and allowed me to walk onto the ramp. I followed Zhao all the way to his chambers and stepped through the metal door that he then closed behind me. If he had to go to such great lengths to prevent anyone from overhearing our conversation, I wondered if this job he had in mind was more dangerous than any I've done yet.

"The job I have in mind is very dangerous and highly secret. I cannot proceed without absolute confidence that you will not tell anyone of the conversation that we are about to have."

I nodded.

"You must understand that if for some reason you do betray this promise of silence I will stop at nothing to hunt you down and kill you. It will be slow and painful. I do not take kindly to traitors."

"I understand."

"Good. Your target will be arriving at this very dock in a few days' time."

"And that is? I can't kill someone without knowing their name."

"The banished embarrassment of the Fire Nation, Prince Zuko."

"Who?" I was shocked.

"You heard me correctly."

"I thought you didn't take kindly to traitors." I smirked at the irony and hypocrisy.

"How dare you accuse me of betraying the Fire Nation? I am protecting the country I serve by discontinuing the incompetence of the fool. The search for the Avatar is too imperative to leave in the hands of that useless child."

"Okay, whatever you say. Though, my answer to your request for my services is no. I will not kill the Prince for you. No amount of gold will convince me take up a mission so suicidal."

The Admiral sighed and turned away from me.

"I had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but because you've refused, I am left without a choice. You will kill Prince Zuko or I will kill you."

I scoffed. "Yeah, right, good luck with that." I turned away and began to walk towards the door.

"Arrogance is not an attractive trait in a young woman, Allamei," said Zhao. I heard him shift his feet, and as I turned around to see what he was doing I saw a blaze of fire in front of me. It was too late, I was knocked to the ground face first, and a searing pain shot through my back. The pain was so intense, I could barely stay conscious. I turned slightly, crying out as my back moved. I was dizzy from the agony and I scarcely could lock my gaze onto Zhao's spinning form through squinted eyes.

Zhao smiled. "A little gift to show you my thanks for your acceptance of my task." I fell unconscious and his voice faded into nothing.